Sonic Debuts Blu-ray Disc Burning and Playback Software at CeBIT 2005

Sonic Debuts Blu-ray Disc Burning and Playback Software at CeBIT 2005

    Business Editors/High-Tech Editors
    CeBIT 2005

    HANNOVER, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 14, 2005--

Record Now and CinePlayer Showcase New BD format; AuthorScript Blu-ray SDK Allows Developers to Quickly Add BD Support in Wide Variety of Applications
    Sonic Solutions(R) (NASDAQ:SNIC), the leader in digital media software, and Philips & BenQ Digital Storage Corporation (PBDS), a leading Blu-ray (BD) technology company, today debuted Blu-ray Disc recording/playback solutions that will allow consumers to burn and play back discs in the new high-capacity BD digital media format. In a joint demonstration with PBDS, Sonic unveiled its AuthorScript Blu-ray Data Recording Software Development Kit (SDK) as well as Blu-ray support in its popular Roxio- and Sonic-branded RecordNow and CinePlayer HD consumer software applications. Deployed on almost 200 million PCs, Sonic's AuthorScript is the core burning engine that underlies all of Sonic's professional and consumer software applications; it is also the leading CD and DVD burning SDK used by software developers such as Adobe, AOL, Microsoft, Sony and many others. With the AuthorScript Blu-ray SDK, Sonic makes it easy for software developers to add support for recording BD discs into their applications.
    By showcasing the integration of Sonic's software and PBDS' Triple writer (Blu-ray, DVD, CD) drive, the two companies are underscoring their commitment to a smooth and rapid adoption of the BD format, which offers more than 70 times the capacity of CDs and more than 5 times the capacity of DVDs, making it ideal for archiving digital media such as home movies, recorded TV shows, music collections, and digital photos.
    "Working together with Sonic gives us access to proven, reliable burning technology," said Paul Jochjims, senior product manager at PBDS. "This collaboration will help us offer our customers a quality, easy-to-use solution that's ready at the earliest possible stage of this exciting new market."
    "Sonic is delighted to be working closely with PBDS on BD applications," said John Newman, director of European operations for Sonic's Roxio division. "By providing us with early access to PBDS Triple writer technology, this collaboration allows us to accelerate the delivery of complete BD burning solutions for our entire spectrum of customers, including home users and professionals."
    Presented at the BenQ booth (Hall 21, Stand B20), the Blu-ray demonstrations highlight Roxio's consumer BD recording technology that enables quick and easy creation and backup of digital media onto Blu-ray discs. High definition video content will be burned to the BenQ drive with RecordNow software and played back from BD using CinePlayer HD.
    Sonic plans to make its AuthorScript Blu-ray Data Recording SDK available for licensing in the summer of 2005, enabling producers of personal computer (PC) and consumer electronics (CE) products to immediately support Blu-ray drives when they become available.

    About Sonic Solutions

    Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ:SNIC)(http://www.sonic.com) is the leader in digital media software, providing a broad range of interoperable, platform independent software tools and applications for creative professionals, business and home users, and technology partners. Sonic's products range from advanced DVD authoring systems and interactive content delivery technologies used to produce the majority of Hollywood DVD film releases, to the award-winning Roxio- and Sonic-branded CD and DVD creation, playback, and backup solutions that have become the premier choice for consumers, prosumers, and business users worldwide.
    Sonic products are globally available from major retailers, online at Sonic.com and Roxio.com, and are bundled with PCs, after-market drives, and consumer electronic devices. Sonic's digital media creation engine is the de facto standard and has been licensed by major software and hardware manufacturers including Adobe, Microsoft, Scientific-Atlanta, Sony, and many others. Sonic Solutions is headquartered in Marin County, California.

    Sonic, the Sonic logo, Sonic Solutions, AuthorScript, CinePlayer, RecordNow, and Roxio are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sonic Solutions or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. All other company or product names are trademarks of their respective owners and, in some cases, are used by Sonic Solutions under license.

    Forward Looking Statements

    The above paragraphs of this press release may contain forward looking statements that are based upon current expectations. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties including, among others, the timely introduction and acceptance of new products, costs associated with new product introductions, the transition of products to new hardware configurations and platforms and other factors, including those discussed in the Company's annual and quarterly reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release should be read in conjunction with the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Registration Statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which contain a more detailed discussion of the Company's business including risks and uncertainties that may affect future results. The Company does not undertake to update any forward looking statements.

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CONTACT: Sonic Solutions Paul Lefebvre, 415-893-8023 paul_lefebvre@sonic.com

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA GERMANY INTERNATIONAL EUROPE TRACK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MOTION PICTURES HARDWARE SOFTWARE COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS ENTERTAINMENT TRADESHOW PRODUCT MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: Sonic Solutions

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